Machine for forming metal bands



Oct. 25, 1932. M. E. WHDELL 1,884,941

MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL BANDS Filed Jan. 25, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 muWm 623 a A w 2/8 INVENTOR I BY M w 92 fi w M ATTORNEY M. E. WIDELLMACHINE FOR FORMING METAL BANDS Filed Jan. 23, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTOR NEY Oct. 25, 1932. M. E. WIDELL 1,884,941

MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL BANDS Filed Jan. 23, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR ATTORNEY Get. 25, 1932. M. E. WIDELL MACHINE FOR FORMING METALBANDS 6 Shee'hs sheat Filed Jan.

ATTORNEY ENVENICR (I: BY

M. E. WIDELL 1,884,941

MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL BANDS Filed Jan. 25, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 21m I I N 1 1V," 3 V n M q: T: L

Oct. 25, 1932.

, INVENTOR ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1932. M, WIDELL 1,884,941

MACHINE FOR FORMING METAL BANDS Filed Jan. 23, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 6//.2 Z2 LEE 2% I 24 /fl/ 7 El III! I; M

INVENTOR I ATTORNEY patented Oct. 25 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT 0FFIEMAeNUs E. WIDELL, or CINCINNATI, OHIO, AssIGNOR TO AMERICAN CAN COMPANY,on

NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY MACHINE FOR FORMING METALBANDS Application filed January 23, 1929.

This invention relates to machines for forming metal bands, particularlyof that type which are adapted for insertion into the body of a can toform an interior collar band upon which a severed upper portion of thebody may be positioned as a temporary closure after being separated bythe removal of a tearing strip or in other manner.

A principal object of the present invention, is the provision of amachine which automatically operates directly upon metallic sheets,dividing them into strips of proper outline and size, which forms thestrips into annular shape and which overlaps and welds 5 the endsthereof, thereby providing annular metal bands, all of the variousoperating parts being so related and actuated as to render possible ahigh rate of production.

Another and very important object of the invention is the provision, ina machine of this character, of notching devices for producing a notchedend on a band strip, the strip being subsequently formed into annularshape with its ends lapped and welded together, the notched end being onthe inside of ends are welded together.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in a machine of thischaracter, of feeding rollers and locating devices for positioning andholding a sheet for the notching and the strip cutting operations.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment thereof.

Serial No. 334,536.

Referring to the drawingsf Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machineof the present invention, Jarts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, parts being broken away;

Fig. 2a is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line 2a2a inFig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation;

Fig. 4; is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 4.tin Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial elevation, partial sectional view takensubstantially along line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary end detail partially in section of thenotching mech anism, showing a sheet in its initial notchmg position;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 illustrating a sheet in a differentposition relative to the notching mechanism;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken substantially alongline 88 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged end elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 8, partsbeing broken away;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the separated ends of astrip after the ends nave been embossed;

F lg. 12 is an enlarged side elevation of the two ends of a strip afterbeing brought into overlapping position;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the completed welded metal collar band,and

Fig. 1a is a fragmentary detail of the gearing for driving the feedingand forming rollers of the machine, parts being shown in section.

The present invention relates to a type of machine such as is dlsclosedin my pending application, Serial No. 636,338 filed May 3, p

1923. The present machine is assigned to form a metal band and weld theends together, whereas in the aforementioned application, a metal bandis formed with its ends riveted together.

The'machine of the present invention in a series of feeding and formingoperations produces a metal band 21 (as shown in Fig. 13), the bandissuing from the discharge end of the machine and being formed from asheet 22 of tin plate or other suitable sheet material fed into theentrance end of the machine. During the passage of sheets 22 and partsthereof through the machine, notches 23 (Figs. 6, 7 and 11) are firstcut in one edge of each sheet 22 after which a strip 24 with one notchedend is severed from the sheet. A series of rollers (Fig. 1), then formthe strip 24 into annular shape and position it upon a forming mandrel,after which die mechanism (Figs. 8 and 9), operating in conjunction withholding or damp ing devices, embosses the ends of the strip and preparesthem for welding. Assembling mechanism (Fig. 10) then overlaps the endsof the strip and the embossed portions thereon are brought into Contactwith each other after which electrodes engage and clamp the overlappedends of the strip. The held strip ends are then welded together by anelectric welding current properly controlled by an improved switchdevice.

The principal parts of the apparatus are supported by a frame 25 (Figs.1 and on which is mounted a bed or table 26. Uperating power for themachine is supplied from a suitable source through the medium of apulley 27 carried by a drive shaft 28, journalled in bearings 29 formedin frame 25. A pinion 31 secured to shaft 28 meshes 1 with a gear 32carried on a main cam shaft 33 ournalled in bearings 34 formed in frame25. i

Sheets 22 are introduced into the machine in suitable manner, each sheetbeing positioned vertically adjacent one face of a retaining plate 35(Figs. 1 and 3) formed integrally with brackets 36 carried by andprojecting upwardly from the table 26. The sheet is moved downwardlyalong the plate 35 in a step by step movement, more fully describedhereinafter and during such movement the side edges of the sheet passalong slots or grooves formed in end members 37 and 38 positionedadjacent plate 35. End member 37 is secured by bolts 40 to the plate 35,and end member 38 is adjustable transversely of the plate 35 to vary thedistance betweenthe grooves in the end members for accommodation ofsheets of different width. Movement of member 38 from one position toanother is accomplished by means of an adjusting screw 39 having abearing in a bracket 41 carried by one of the brackets 36, screw 39having threaded engagement with a T-block 42 (Fig. 4), positioned in aguideway 43 formed transversely of plate 35. The block 42 carries athreaded stud 30 which projects through member 38, the.

end of the stud'being threadedly engaged by a lock nut clamping againstthe face of said member 38. When the described parts are in lockedposition the head of block 42 is clamped against walls of the guideway43 and end member 38 is clamped against the face of plate 35, this beinga common form of adjusting and clamping construction. The screw 39 isoperated by a thumb nut head. It will be manifest that the constructionjust described permits the positioning of the adjustable member 38 atany point within the limits of the screw 39.

Rods 44 extend upwardly from the upper side of plate 35 and formextensions of the latter to assist in retaining the sheets invertical'position. A stop plate 45 (Fig. l) is provided adjacent member37 and facilitates the positioning of the sheets within the grooves ofthe end members 37 and 38.

When a sheet is inserted into the machine (Fig. 4), the lower edgethereof rests upon movable fingers 56, a said finger being pro vidednear each side of the plate 35 and each finger extending through anaperture 57 cut through the retaining plate 35. This holds the sheet inposition for the'first notching operation, to be described later. Eachfinger. 56 is carried in an arm 58 mounted upon a rock shaft 59journalled in the brackets 36. Setscrews 61 extending through arms 58engage the back of plate 35 and limit the movement in one direction ofboth arms 58 and rock shaft 59. A rod 62 is mounted in one arm 58between its finger 56 and the shaft 59 and carries a weight 63 slidablysecured thereto, the weight tending to rock the shaft 59 to project thefingers 56 through.

their respective apertures 57. lVith the sheet resting upon thesefingers 56 in its first notch ing position (Fig. 6), one edge thereof isengaged by a pair of notching die units cut-, ting V notches 23 in thesheet, a half notch at the corner and a full notch at an intervaltherefrom and just above the half notch. The center of the upper or fullnotch is lo-. cated along a line substantially parallel to the bottomedge of the sheet, this line being a line of severance when the firststrip is cut from the sheet in a subsequent operation. The notching diemechanism and the cutting mechanism will be hereinafter fully described.

After notching, fingers 56 are withdrawn from beneath the sheet which isthereon moved downwardly into the cutting mecha; nism. The mechanism(Fig. 4), for withdrawing fingers 56 comprises an arm 69 pivoted at 71to a bracket 72 secured to the frame 25. This arm is reciprocated byconnection with a reciprocating part of the cut-' ting mechanism.

Arm 69 at its upper end carries a dog 7 5 loosely mounted on a pivot pin7 6. A stop. pin 77 secured to the arm 69 limits the movement of dog 75in one direction, and an outwardly extending pin 78 carried by the dog75 constitutes a weightfor normally hold.- ing the lower part of the dogagainst the stop pin. As arm. 69 is moved toward the left (Fig. 4), aninclined face 79 formed in the upper part of dog 7 5 strikes againstincline 81 formed in one face of the weight 63. These inclined facessliding on each other force weight 63 upwardly, dog 7:" being held innon-rotating position by engagement with the stop pin 77. This liftingof weight 63 causes a corresponding movement of arms 58 accompanied by arocking of shaft 59 and fingers 56 are thereby withdrawn from thepositioned sheet 22. The act-ions of the lifting of weight- 63 and thewithdrawing fingers 56 from their forward osition are only momentary butduring such a time sheet 22 is lowered into its second position. lh henweight 63 is released by the passing f dog 75 from beneath, as arm 69continues its movement toward the left, fingers tend to again movethrough their slots 57 but are prevented by the sheet 22 then extendingacross the slots.

It should be evident, therefore, that the fingers 56 only move throughtheir respective slots to support a sheet at its initial notch formingoperation and prior to the in all shearing operation. At other timeswhile the sheet is passing through the machine, the forward ends of thefingers 56 rest against the rear surface of the sheet and even thoughtne weight 63 is lifted several times during this passage the heet, noeffect takes place upon the fingers 56. However, sheets 2:2 are fed intothe machine in processional order and after one sheet has been moveddownwardly and passed the said fingers 56 they will move forward underthe action of weight "I 63 and will thus rest in the path of thesucstriking againstweight 63 rotates about j with and are mounted upon sceeding sheet and support the same it moves into its initial notchingposition.

Upon each return movement of arm (being toward the right in Fig. l), dog

)iVOt Din 76 against the action of wei ht '5 L g n slots of end members37 and 38 Figs. 1 and 4) by feed rollers 47 which frictionally uone faceof the sheet, the opposite race of the sheet eing in contactwith and moin along the plate 35.

iormed on the en 37 and Shait 51 carries sh which operates a rope belt52 13551 sheave 54 carried by drive shaft 2 a connection rollers 47 areconstantly ol tated but they effect only an interru ted fears ing fsheet 22 which is held from moraine. during certain restperiods, therollers moving idly against the sheet at such times.

Clamping devices assist in holding snee t3 1 48 is pivotally connected can arm extending from one side wall of a snc g bed member 67 moving overtable 2 endin within nidewa s 55 formed in is J the table.

" by cam controlled mechanism com- -""slr91 i I f prising 1 ins sGrPHOEQC to toe ieai end 0 the bed and connecting with arms 202 ex- 'las.MW .11 1V 7 3 '11 centric-lg up, ai o y mom a sieeie 2O osci at- 20 imounted in brackets 5 carried by the table 26. Sleeve 263 also fi s anarm 1266 pivota a tached to one of a connecting rod 207, the other endhe ca r a cam yolre 268 3) slid in g over shalt 3S and being moved backrth by a cam 209 cooperating with a cam roller 08 (see also Fig. 2a)carried by he cam 209 being also mounted upon so oil.

t is l movement of bee 67 that is comin to the arm 69 previously desoil-bed. Ir linl: 73 (Fig. 4) forms the proper connection by beingpivotally attached to pivot yoke 7% carried by bed 67 and being alsopivotally attached its opposite end to arm 69.

The notching die units, (higs. 5, 6 and 7) comprise a '3 air of metalpunches 6 L adjust ably mounted in a cross head 66 carried by the bed6?. Upon each forward reciprocati n of bed 67 the punches pass tnroughone 3 +1 C I'Ji' 1 1 ll 1 t edge or no anew ant enter viu 1m coopera ingdie members carried in the bottom part or the nlate This co-action ofmembers 67 65 forms the notches 23 in the sheet, the metal clips removedfrom the sheet passii co channels 60 formed in plate 35. The no'lzchingpunches are slidably supported in an extension 80 of end member 37 (seealso The first notching operation performed upon a sheet takes placewhile the bottom edge rests upon the fingers 56 as shown in Fig. Fingers56 are then withdrawn and the sheet is moved downwardly, by themechanisms just described, coming to rest with its bottom edge restingin a groove 82 (Fig. l), cut in the upper surface of a slide 83, thisposition of th sheet being shown in Fig. 7. T he sheet so positioned isready for the second notching operation and the first strip severingoperation.

Upon the next forward movement of bed 67 the notching die units againcooperate to notch the edge of the sheet and simultaneously a shearblade 68 mounted upon the forward end of bed 67 cooperates with a fixedshear blade secured to bracket 36, (Fig. 4), and severs the first strip24 from the sheet. The blade 68 pushes against the top of the strip asit is detached from the sheet and the same rocks about its lower edge,which is loosely confined within the groove 82 of the slide 83, andfalls into a horizontal position upon the slide. In this position it isadjacent a stop shoulder 86 formed in the slide. Following this firstcutting operation and following each subsequent cutting operation theremaining part of sheet 22 is lowered, each time by the feeding devicespreviously described, until its bottom edge rests within groove 82 andupon slide 83.

It will be evident by reference to Figs. 6 and 7, that the distance oftravel of sheet 22 from its first notching position to its secondnotching position is greater than its distance of travel betweensubsequent notching positions. After the second notching operation isperformed, and ust prior to the first cutting operation, there are fournotches 23 in the edge of the sheet. The severing of a strip 24 from thesheet, removes only a strip whose width is equal to the distance betweenthe two notching die units. Just prior to the third and subsequentnotching operations, and following the placing of the remaining part ofthe sheet in lowered position, the top notch is in top register with thelower notching die parts 64 and 65. The said punch 64 thereupon passesthrough the notch without performing any operation upon the sheet. Forthe third and all subsequent notching operations therefore, on anyparticular sheet only the upper notch is out until the sheet has beenpassed entirely through the notching mechanism.

Strip 24 resting upon the slide 83 is moved longitudinally of its lengthfirst by a shifting of the slide 83 and then by feeding and formingrollers. These rollers remove the strip from the slide and position itabout a forming mandrel. The slide moving mechanism will now bedescribed.

Slide 83, (Fig. 4) rests upon and moves back and forth over the uppersurface of a bracket 85 adjustably bolted in fixed position upon a wallof table 26. A tongue and groove connection 84 between the slide 83 andthe bracket 85 permits relative longitudinal movement and at the sametime retains the slide in its proper path of travel.

Slide 83 (Fig. 3) is moved back and forth by connection with shaft 33,this mechanism comprising an extension 211 formed in one end of slide 83and pivotally connected to an adjustable link 212 which in turn ispivotally connected to an arm 213 secured to a rock shaft 214 journalledin frame25. An arm 215 is also secured to rock shaft 214 and carries acam following roller operating within the cam groove of a barrel cam220' carried by shaft 33. The cam 220 operating through the describedmechanism holds slide 83 sta tionary during the feeding of the bottomedge of sheet 22 into the groove 82 and during the following shearingoperation just described, and moves the slide 83 over the surface ofbracket 85 during the feeding of the forward end of the strip into thefeeding rollers.

There are two pairs of feeding and forming rollers the first paircomprising cooperating rollers 87 mounted on parallel shafts 216rotating within a bracket 217 carried on table 26, see Figs. 1 and 14.The lower shaft 216 carries a spur gear 218 which meshes with a gear 91secured to a horizontal shaft 219 journalled in table 26. Shaft 219 alsocarries a sprocket 221 over which operates a drive chain 92 passing overa sprocket 93 mounted upon a horizontal shaft 94 journalled in bear ings96 formed in frame 25, see also Fig; 2. Sprocket 93 is connected toshaft 94 through a friction slip clutch 95 which causes normal turningof the sprocket 93 during rotation of shaft 94. In the event of anyabnormal condition arising at the feeding rollers 87 the slip clutch 95will permit stopping of the sprocket 98 without affecting the rotationof the shaft 94. Shaft 94 carries a Initre gear 97 meshing with acorresponding gear 98 se cured to the horizontal shaft 28.

Rollers 87, (Fig. 14) engage the forward edge of a strip 24 as it ismoved by the slide 83 and advance the strip to a second pair of rollers88'. These latter rollers constitute forming rollers and are mountedupon parallel shafts 222, the upper shaft rotating with in a horizontalforming mandrel 89, the lower shaft being journalled within a block 223carried by table 26. Shafts 222 carry cooperating pinions 224 the lowerpinion engaging the teeth of gear 91. Rotation of the said gear 91,therefore, causes a corresponding rotation of the forming rollers 88.Both sets of rollers 87 and 88 are the same diameter and rotate at thesame speed the former set smoothin or ironing out any burrs orirregularlties that might exist in the strip 24. Either pair of rollers87 or 88 may also slight ly bend or curl the edges of the strip as at19(Fig. 13) where this is desirable.

As the strip 24, (Figs 1 and 14) moves through rollers 88, it isdirected against a deflecting plate 225 secured to the block 223. Theforward edge of said plate is rounded and serves to directthe stripabout the end of the mandrel 89 and at the same time shapes it intoannular form. During this movement around the mandrel the strip passesalong the inner faces of retaining blocks 229 and 231, each pivoted tothe bed 26-, and being held in strip retaining position by springs 232,see Fig. 1.

Mandrel 89' is supported on bed 26 throughout a major part of its lengthand the strips '24, after being brought to annular form there'- upon areadvanced with an intermittent mo- 2). and 9) is attached to a rod 118extending tion along said mandrel by means of the usual sliding bar typeof feeding devices. These devices comprise four feed bars 101, (Figs. 1,2 and 9) positioned in longitudinal grooves formed in the manorel 89.The outside faces of the bars are flush with the outside surface 'of themandrel. The bars move back and forth within their grooves, and insideof the annular strips or bands 24 resting on the mandrel. Each bar 101carries the usual spaced spring-pressed dogs 103 which engage the formedbands and move them forward with the forward movement of the bars.

The bars 101 extend backwardly beyond the end of the mandrel 89 and aresecured to a disc 102, connected by a link 105 with a lever arm 104formed integrally with a sleeve 90 mounted on a shaft 106 held inbrackets 107 depending from the under side of table 26. Sleeve 90 isprovided with a depending arm 100 connected by a rod 108 with a cam yoke109, (Fig. 3) provided with a cam following roller which operates withina groove formed in a cam 111 secured to shaft 33.

the spring dogs 103 on the feed bars 101.

The band passes alon the mandrel through a number of idle stations andfinally comes to rest at the embossing station. It

is engaged during its rest period by a clamping bar 112 (Fig. 8) whichis positioned di rectly above the mandrel.

Bar 112 is yieldin gly held. inst the mandrel at its rear end by aspring 116 positioned about a bolt 117 secured to a portion of thebracket 36, (Fig. The other end of the bar, (Figs. 2. 8

through a bearing formed in a yoke 119 mounted upon frame 25. The upperend of the rod 118 IS y1eldingly connected with a cross arm 121adjustably secured to the up per en d of a vertical rod 122 passingthrough a bearing in yoke 119 and connecting at its lower end to a crosshead 123.

Cross head 123 15 attached to a connecting rod 152 (Figs. 2 and which isadjustably secured to a lever 153 pivoted about a shaft 160. Lever 153carries a cam following rollor 154 engaging a cam groove formed in aface cam 155, carried by shaft hen lever 153 is moved downwardly, rod122 is correspondingly lowered and the cross arm 121 compressing thespring at the top of rod 118, forces the latter downwardly. This clampsbar 112 against band 24 and holds it on the top of the mandrel 89.

lVith the annular band, at the embossing station, so clamped, it is nextengaged by side wings 113, (Fig. 9) which bring the ends of the bandinto operative relationship with embossing die units. Each side wing113, is supported by a pair of parallel arms comprising a straight arm125 and a bell crank 124 pivoted respectively upon shafts 120 and 126ournalled in bearings 127 formed in yoke 119. The lower end of each bellcrank 124 (Figs. 2 and 3), is pivotally connected to a rod 128 securedto a plate 131, which carries a rod 195 yieldingly connected through aspring 157, with a cross head 196 formed integrally with an. extension156 secured at its bottom end to cross-head 123. Rods 128 are thusraised and lowered and side wings 113 are moved into and out of bandengaging position, the engagement being of a yielding nature by reasonof the spring connection.

The embossing die units (Figs. 8 and 9), comprise a female die 132 and amale die 133 inserted within the mandrel 89. These die parts cooperaterespectively with a male die 134 and a female die 135 inserted in theupper end of a slide bar 136 operating within grooves formed in a block139 secured to frame 25. Block 139 is slotted at 140 to clear cross head196 (see Fig. 2). Bar 136 is raised and lowered by pivotal connectionwith an adjustable link 137 which is pivoted at its lower end to a lever138 in turn pivoted about the shaft 160. Lever 138 carries a camfollowing roller 141 resting at all times upon a cam 142 secured toshaft 33. A spring 143 extending between the outer end of lever 138 anda bracket fixed to frame holds this roller 141 against its cam 142.Rotation of cam 142 raises and lowers lever 138 and the die members 134and 135 carried by the bar 136.

As bar 136 reaches its uppermost position, dies 134 and 135 pressingagainst the metal of the ends of the band resting upon mandrel 89, forcethe metal against the corresponding dies 132 and 133 and thus emboss theends of the band 24. It will be evident that the displaced metal in oneend extends on the inside of the annular band while the displaced metalof the other end extends outwardly, this providing a preferred type ofembossed end for the subsequent welding operation. As disclosed in thedrawings the die parts 132 and 134 form the embossed portions on thenotch end of the band while the dies 133 and 135 form the parallelridges at the square end of the strip.

Following the embossing operati on the annular band 24 is released bylowering of bar 136, by outward movement of the wings 113 and by alifting of clamping bar 112. Bar

112 is raised by a mechanism disclosed in Figs. 2, 3 and 8, whichcomprises a link 197 pivoted to the forward end of the bar 112 andconnected at its upper end to an arm 198 secured to a rock shaft 199journalled in bearings formed in yoke 119. Shaft 199 also carries an arm190 connected, by a link 200, with the upper end of a lever 239 pivotedin a bracket 2 10 carried by frame 25. Lever 239 carries a cam followingroller 2 11 engaged'during the unlamping of bar 112, by a cam segment242 attached to the outer periphery of cam 209. Band 2 1 thus unclampedand resting at the embossing station, is thereupon moved by the feedingmechanism to the welding station.

The welding station is located in an auxiliary mandrel 158, (Figs. 8 and10) bolted to the forward end of the forming mandrel 89. Mandrel 158 isof smaller diameter than the forming mandrel and is of the expanding andcontracting type commonly used in can bodv forming machines. Itcomprises a fixed central portion 161 and movable side sections 159interengaged by the usual tongue and groove construction.

Sections 159 are pressed outwardly into expanded position, to form acomplete cylindrical horn by means of a wedge rod 162 aovin axiallywithin the mandrel and operating upon cam parts connected with thesections 159 in the usual manner. The mechanism for moving rod 162comprises a lever 163 (Figs. 2 and 8), pivotally connected therewith,and rocking about a shaft 170 carried by frame 25. The lower end oflever 163 is pivotally connected by an adjustable link 1641, to a camyoke 165 sliding over shaft 33, (Fig. 3), the yoke carrying a camfollowing roller operating within a cam groove formed in a cam 166secured to shaft 33.

Auxiliary mandrel 158 (Figs. 2 and 8) is fully expanded as the band 24is positioned at the welding station and the latter is clamped upon themandrel by a clamp bar 1141 pivotally secured at its rear end to the bar112. The forward end of the clamp bar 114 is fixed to an upwardlyextending rod 144 which passes through a bearing formed in yoke 119,(Fig. 3). The upper end of rod 1 1% is yieldingly attached to a crossarm 145 adjustably positioned about a rod 1 16 extending through abearing in yoke 119 and connecting at its lower end to cross head 123. lVhen cross head 123 is moved downwardly by the cam mechanism previouslydescribed the forward end of bar 1141 is clamped under the springpressure of rod 144; while its rear end, being connected with bar 112 isalso clamped under spring pressure through rod 118.

lVith band 24; clamped at the welding stw tion a pair of side wings 115(Fig. 10) engages the band and overlaps its lower ends. clamping thesame in welding position. Each of the side win s 115 is supported by apair of parallel arms comprising a straight arm 148 and a bell crank 147pivoted respectively upon the shafts 120 and 126.. The lower arm of eachbell crank 147 is pivotally connected to a rod 151 extending downward-1y into threaded connection with the plate 131. As plate 131 is loweredthe bell cranks 1517 are rocked and the side wings 115 are moved intothe band clamping position.

The embossed portions on one of the overlapped ends of a clamped band 24at the welding station engage the corresponding embossed portions on theother end in a series of contact points. These band ends at that time(Figs. 8 and 10) are directly beneath an upper welding electrode 167'adjustably secured within the bottom part of the auxiliary mandrel 158by means of a bolt 169, threaded into the forward end of a copper 2 bar171 passing through openings formed in mandrel 89 the bar being clampedto a part of the mandrel by U bolts 129. This bar 171 forms a path forthe welding current which is conveyed thereto by a conductor lead 172hereinafter more fully described. An adjusting bolt 168 threaded intoelectrode 167 with its head resting against a part of the fixed member161 permits easy and accurate vertical adjustment of the electrode.

A lower welding electrode 173 is positioned dir ctly beneath theoverlapped ends of the band 24; and is held in a block 176 insulatedfrom but attached by bolts 1"5 to a sliding bar 1745 operating ingrooves formed in the block 17 1 is pivotally connected, through anadjustable link 14-9 with the outer end of the lover 138 (Fig. 2). Itwill be t bar 174- moves upwardly to poelectrode 173 into contact 1 or.pped 011(5; of band 24 at the welding station at the same time that bar136 moves the embo sing dies into contact with the ends of another band24 positioned at the embossing station. A copper lead 177 is bolted tothe block 176 and forms a part of the path of travel for the electricalwelding current.

As the lower electrode 17 3 en gages the overlapped ends of ban d 24 andforces the same aga inst the upper electrode 167 a welding current flowsthrough the electrodes and the contacting points of the embossedportions of the overlapped ends of a hand are raised in temperaturesufficient to provide a welded bond at those points. As illustrated inFig. 13. four welded spots are thus created there being two embossedportions on each end of the baud. these contacting each other at fourpoints. The number and position of the welded spots is determined by thenumber. shape or position of the embossed portions of the band ends. theband illustrated showing one preferred. welded bond.

Provision is made in the welding circuit for timing the electricalimpulse used in the weldin goperation. This comprises aswitchmechanism(Fig. 2), which controls the timing of the welding operation, theassociated clamping mechanism being synchronized to permit the parts tocool before the welded band is removed from the mandrel. The switchmechanism also reduces arcing of the current during operation of theswitch. The copper leads 172 and 177 connecting with the electrodes 167and 173 as just described, are in the secondary circuit of any suitabletype of electric welding apparatus, the switch mechanism referred tobeing connected in a primary welding circuit.

Part of the leads for the primary circuit adjacent the switch mechanism(Fig. 2), are indicated by the numerals 179 and 181 leading to a pair ofspaced contact blocks 182 secured within but insulated from a housing183 attached to a bracket 178 secured to frame 25, (see also Fig. Theswitch for the primary circuit comprises a laminated spring contact bar184 supported by and moving vertically with a cross nead 185, havingsliding movement within the housing 183. Cross head 185 carriesauxiliary spring pressed contact pins 186 extending slightly beyond theends of the contact bar 184 and when the cross head 185 is lowered theycome into contact with the blocks 182 11'101' to contact of the bar 184therewith. In like manner, as cross head 185 is raised, contact pins 186hold their contacts with blocks 182 after the connection has been brokenbetween the bar 184 and the blocks 182. This arrange ment reduces arcingbetween bar 134 and blocks 182.

Cross head 185 (Fig. 2), is supported from above by a pair of verticalbolts 187 threaded therein and extending through an insulated auxiliaryplate 191 secured to and held in a horizontal position by housing 183.The upper ends of bolts 187 pass through and are held in a head member188 and are surrounded by coil springs 189 interposed between the headmember and the auxiliary plate 191. Springs 189, resting on the fixedplate 191 and forcing the head member 188 upwardly, thus tend to holdcontact bar 184 in raised position, this being the open position of theswitch mechanism. Head member 188 is formed with an upwardly extendingstem 192 which projects through the top wall of the housing 183, andwhich carries a cam roller 193 positioned beneath a cam 194 secured toand rotating with the shaft 33. Stem 192 is properly insulated fromroller 193 and housing 183 by means of a bakelite or other suitablesection 233. The cam 194 is formed in part by a movable plate 234mounted on shaft 33 and adjustable relative to the fixed part of thecam. This permits a changing of the cam shape and gives an exactadjustment for the timing of the switch, which is closed when cam 194depresses stem 192 and cross head 185 and parts carried thereby, thismovement being against the action of springs 189.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the formhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machine for forming metal bands, the combination of means fornotching one edge only of a sheet, devices for cutting strips of desiredsize from said sheet, a forming mandrel, mechanism for arranging thesevered strips upon said mandrel with their ends overlapped, and meansfor securing the lapped strip ends together with said notched edgearranged on the inside of the lap to form annular metal bands.

2. In a machine for forming metal bands, the combination of means fornotching one edge of a sheet, devices for cutting strips of desired sizefrom said sheet, a forming mandrel, mechanism for arranging the severedstrips upon said mandrel with their ends overlapped, and means forwelding the lapped strip ends together to form annular metal bands.

3. In a. machine for forming metal bands, the combination of means fornotching one edge only of a sheet, devices for cutting strips of desiredsize from said sheet along spaced lines of severance passing throughsaid notches, a forming mandrel, mechanism for arranging the severedstrips upon said mandrel with their ends overlapped with said notchededge arranged on the inside f the lap, and means for securing the lappedstrip ends together to form annular metal bands.

4. In a machine for fo "ming metal bands, the combination of devices forcutting strips of desired size from a sheet, a forming mandrel,mechanism for arranging the severed strips upon said mandrel, means forembossing the ends of the st ip, devices for overlapping the embossedends of the strips, and means for securing the lapped strip endstogether to form annular metal bands.

5. In a machine for forming metal bands, the combination of devices forcutting strips of desired size from a sheet, a forming mandrel,mechanism for arranging the severed strips upon said mandrel, means forembossing th ends of the strips, and means for welding the embossed endstogether to form annular metal bands.

6. In amachine for forming metal bands, the combination of devices forcutting strips of desired size from a sheet, a forming mandrel,mechanism for arranging the severed the embossed portions of one end ofeach strip into engagement with the embossed por tions of the other end,and means for Welding the engaged, embossed ends together to formannular metal bands.

7. A machine for forming metal bands, comprising in combination. aforming mandrel, mechanism for arranging strips upon said mandrel,meansfor emboiissing the ends of the strigs while in position upon saidmandrel, devices for overlapping the embossed ends of the strip, andwelding means for securing the lapped, embossed ends together to formannular metal bands.

8. A machine for for ling comprising in combination a man drel,mechanism for arranging ips upon said mandrel, means for embossing theends of the strips while in positi n upon mandrel, devices foroverlapping the embossed ends of the strip, means for welt ing theembossed ends together, and instrumentalities for automaticallycontrolling the flow of welding current through said welding means.

9. A machine for forming metal bands, comprising in combination aforming mandrel, mechanism for arranging strips upon said mandrel, meansfor embossing the ends of the strips, said means comprising linedembossing dies positioned Within said mandrel and movable exteriorembossing dies, said fixed and exterior dies operating upon the stripswhile in position upon said mandrel, devices for overlapping theembossed ends of the strip, and welding means for securing the lapped,embossed ends together to form annular metal bands.

10. In a machine for forming metal bands,

the combination of means for notching one edge of a sheet, devices forcutting strips of desired size from the sheet, a forming mandrel,mechanism for arranging the severed strips upon said. mandrel, means forembossing the ends or" the strip, devices for overlapping the embossedends of the strips, and means for securing the lapped strip endstogether to form annular metal bands. L 11. In a machine for formingmetal bands, the combination 01" means for notching one edge of a sheet,devices for cutting strips or desired size from the sheet, a formingmandrel, mechanism for arranging the severed strips upon said mandrel,means for embos ing the ends of the strip, and means for Welding theembossed ends together to form annular metal bands.

12. In a machine for forming metal bands, the combination of notchingmeans, a form ing mandrel, mechanism for arranging strips upon saidmandrel, embossing means providing the said notched end oi each stripwith embossed portions extending parallel With its bands,

notched edges and also providing the unnotched straight end oi saidstrip with embossed portions extending parallel with its end edge,devices for overlapping the ends of the strips and bringing the embossedportions of the straight end of each strip into engagement with theembossed portions of its corresponding notched end, and means forwelding the ends together at the points of contact of the embossedportions thereof to form annular metal bands.

13. In a machine for forming metal bands, the combination of notchingmeans, a forming mandrel, mechanism for arranging strips upon saidmandrel at the same time flanging the edges thereof, devices foroverlapping the ends or" each strip and bringing the ends-of the flangededges of its straight, unnotched end into tie notches of its notchedend, and means for welding the overlapped ends together to form annularmetal bands.

14. A machine for forming metalbands, comprising the combination ofdevices for cutting band strips from sheet stock, including a shearingelement movable transversely to the sheet, a forming mandrel, means forarranging the severed strips upon said mandrel with their endsoverlapped, and means for welding the overlapped strip ends together toform annular metal bands.

15. A machine for forming metal bands, comprising the combination of asheet holder, feeding rollers for successivelymoving sheets through theholder and into notching positions, means for notching one edge of asheet while so held, and locating devices for holding each sheet in aninitial notching po sition, and means for rendering said locatingdevices inoperatve relative to the sheet when in subsequent notchingpositions.

16. A machine for forming metal bands, comprising the combination of asheet holder, feeding rollers for successively moving sheets through theholder and into notching positions, means for notching one edge of asheet While so held, locating devices for holding each sheet in aninitial notching position, and means for rendering said locating devicesinoperative relative to the sheet when in subsequent notching positions,and devices for cutting band strips of desired size from said sheets.

17. A machine for forming a can part, comprising in combination, a sheetshearing mechanism, means for feeding a sheet of tin plate to said sheetshearing mechanism, a mandrel about which a sheared portion of saidsheet is adapted to be progressively wrapped, and a transfer mechanismfor transferring individual sheet parts from said sheet shearingmechanism to said mandrel, and cooperating therewith Welding means foruniting the ends of said sheared and wrapped sheet-portion. I

18. A machine for forming a blank for a cylindrical can part, comprisinga sheet shearing mechanism, means for feeding a sheet of tin plate tosaid sheet shearing mechanism, and a device operating in advance of saidsheet shearing mechanism for performing a blank shaping operation, andcooperating therewith Welding means for uniting the ends of said shearedand wrapped sheet-portion.

MAGNUS E. WIDELL.

